Wing Commander Suresh Chand was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in October, 1953. He attended the Flying Instructors Course in 1962 and the Defence Services Staff College Course in 1967. He has flown over 1300 hours of instructional flying out of a total of 5350 accident-free flying hours. He assumed Command of the Paratroopers School in March 1971 and within a few months brought up the Operational preparedness of the Unit. In addition, he organized and successfully completed the paratroop training of a number of Transport Squadrons and of Transport Training Wing. This went a long way towards the success of airborne assault during Indo-Pak Conflict, 1971. Wing Commander Suresh Chand contributed towards the operational efficiency of the Transport Fleet and the Army Airborne Forces by developing fresh techniques in paratrooping and undertaking trials of new airborne equipment. He was responsible for setting up of an all time record of paratrooping by his unit.

Throughout, Wing Commander Suresh Chand displayed courage, professional skill and exceptional devotion to duty.

Air Vice Marshal Suresh Chand Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in October 1953. In his career of 33 years, he has held, with distinction, various appointments both in the field and at higher formations.

He was appointed Air II of an Operational Command, initially in the rank of Group Captain and subsequently in the rank of Air Commodore. During this tenure, he ensured optimal utilisation of the scarce transport resources. In January, 1983, he took over Command of an important Air Base. Under his inspiring leadership, the flying units at the Base were able to achieve their flying tasks and the serviceability of aircraft was maintained at high level. On promotion to the rank of Air Vice Marshal he took over as Senior Officerin­Charge, Administration of Training Command. He was later appointed SASO in the same Command.

By his high degree of professional competence and deep knowledge of flying training, he was able to enhance the quality of training at various training institutions in the Command. In April 1986, he took over as Director Training at Air Headquarters. He has continued to display qualities of clear thinking and professional excellence in this assignment.

AVM S Chand has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.